1101: Dogs as food

A Muslim kept a watchdog. When it
became old, he called in some non-muslim, dog-eating people from a neighbouring tribe and
gave them the dog, so they would slaughter and eat it. The dog sensed it and was
distressed, but the tribal people thanked him for his kindness towards them. Has the
Muslim acted correctly?

Praise be to Allaah.

It is not permissible to eat dogs, or to give them to people who will
eat them, because it is haraam to eat them or to help anyone else to eat them. The Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Every animal that has fangs is
haraam.” (Reported by Muslim from the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah, may Allaah be pleased
with him). According to a hadeeth narrated by Abu Tha’labah al-Khashani (may Allaah
be pleased with him), “the Messenger of Allaah
(peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) forbade the eating of every carnivorous animal that has fangs.” (Agreed
upon). Dogs are carnivores that have fangs. You have to repent to Allaah for what you have
done, and Allaah is the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.